2006 Desktop Linux Summit

This was the official website for the 2006 Desktop Linux Summit. The Desktop Linux Summits began in 2003. 2006 happened to be its last year. I was fortunate to attend this last one in San Diego. The turned out to be everything I expected plus more. Years ago I had classes with a young man named Benjamin Pred, who is now a corporate lawyer working in NYC. But I still remember long group discussions in which he participated, so I'm more than a little familiar with his appearance. So when I saw him at this conference, I went up to him to say hi. He was confused and acted like he didn't know me! I said, "Ben, is that you?" He said yes but... Turns out that his name is also Ben, Ben Turner. Short story - he's a brilliant tech that I'm going to hire to work for us remotely. He told me that was the first time that a client approached him thinking he was a lawyer but hired him as a coder. Linux continues to make great strides. According to Wikipedia "since the initial release of its source code in 1991, it has grown from a small number of C files under a license prohibiting commercial distribution to the 4.2.3 version in 2015 with more than 18 million lines of source code under the GNU General Public License v2." And the largest part of the work on Linux is still performed by the community of thousands of programmers around the world that use Linux and send their suggested improvements to the maintainers.
Take a quick trip now, back to 2006 to what would be the last Desktop Linux Summit. Enjoy!

The desktop Linux movement is changing the software industry - now hear from the innovators who are making it happen. Join us in San Diego to discover the trends, technology, and companies that matter to you and your business.

Desktop Linux Summit
When: April 24-25, 2006
Where: Manchester Grand Hyatt, Downtown San Diego, CA
Attendee Cost:
Full show: $75*
Admission to all exhibits and speakers
Free T-shirt
Exhibit Only: $20*
Admission to all exhibits only
*Limited-time Early Bird Rate. Prices go up soon

One of the best reasons to attend Desktop Linux Summit is the unprecedented gathering of speakers the event has on the agenda*. Not only will you hear from innovators like Doc Searls and Nat Friedman, but you'll hear from a lineup of Linux experts to answer your burning questions on the business and technology behind the Linux movement.

 

"This was one of the most valuable events I have ever attended, due not only to the presentations of the speakers, but also to the other attendees who I connected with in between sessions. During one of the discussions on SEO, someone asked a question regarding Google penalties, which I had never heard of. That person was Bob Sakayama, the widely followed CEO of TNG/Earthling, a New York City based search consultancy. He was very approachable and we hit it off immediately. He had just written a post on "The Risks of Search Dependency" which included an incredible amount of insight into the potential harm a business might encounter if it was entirely dependent on Google ranks for sales or leads. I found his expertise to be incredibly valuable for both my own business and for our clients who managed online commerce sites. The result of this chance encounter is a long lasting relationship that has benefited both of us. Will always be grateful I attended this event if only for this reason." Wallace James

 

Hear the Issues & Learn About Desktop Linux

- The Business Case for Linux
- Migrating Desktops from Windows
- PCs for Emerging Markets
- Can Schools Really Make the Switch?
- Plus special sessions for Beginners, System Builders, Developers, SMBs, and more!


Luis Aguilar, Vice President of Marketing, Alacos

Alacos co-founder Luis Aguilar Lemarroy focuses on developing best of breed systems migration technology. His interests are in implementing open source systems and applications in corporations and governments. Prior to founding Alacos, he worked for SIEMENS in Germany where he researched new technology trends. His interest in making technology accessible to the developing world has led to his interest in the Open Source Movement and the Linux operating system. He holds a Masters degree from the Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich.

 

Kevin Carmony, President and CEO, Linspire

Kevin Carmony is President and CEO of Linspire, Inc., maker of the leading desktop Linux operating system Linspire. Mr. Carmony has been with Linspire since its inception in 2001 and served as president and COO before moving to CEO. Prior to joining Linspire, Carmony served as CEO of NewVox Records from March 2000 to March 2001 and CEO of TrueVerse Management from August 1998 to March 2000.

 

Scott Collins, Evangelist, Trolltech

Scott Collins is an engineer, public speaker, technical evangelist, and one of the voices of the Open Source community. As a key participant and contributor to the Mozilla project since its inception, he first came into the public spotlight in PBS' documentary "Code Rush", chronicling Netscape's push to Open Source its pioneering browser. Collins now works for Trolltech where his title is "Qt Evangelist". Collins' technical depth and breadth, coupled with his skill at clearly communicating even the most challenging concepts, have made him a popular speaker around the globe on topics from the technical to the historical, social, and political ... often all in the same speech, illuminating the connections between.

 

Rob Enderle, President and Principal Analyst, Enderle Group

Rob is President and Principal Analyst of the Enderle Group, a forward looking emerging technology advisory firm. With over 25 years experience emerging technologies he has provided regional and global companies with guidance in how to better target customer needs; create new business opportunities; anticipate technology changes; select vendors and products; and anticipate market changes.

 

Nat Friedman, Vice President of Linux Desktop Engineering, Novell

Nat Friedman is the Vice President of Linux Desktop Engineering at Novell. He is a programmer who cofounded Ximian, Inc, a Linux desktop company sold to Novell in 2003. Nat is involved in several open source desktop projects, including GNOME, Evolution, Beagle, F‑Spot and Banshee.

 

Marcel Gagné, Canada's Linux Guru

Marcel Gagné (Canada's Linux Guru), is probably best known as the award-winning author of the Linux Journal 'Cooking with Linux' series, for which he received the Readers' Choice award for favorite column five years in a row. His fourth, and more recent book, the second edition of his immensely successful "Moving to Linux: Kiss the Blue Screen of Death Goodbye!' is available in stores now. One of the best known voices of the Linux and open source world, he has written numerous articles on Linux and open source projects for various publications including Linux Journal, InformIT, Unix Review, SysAdmin magazine, and several others. He also appears regularly on radio (as Computer America's Linux correspondent), at industry shows, user groups, universities, and as the Linux guy on Tech TV's "Call for Help". He has written about, installed, and taught many open source applications including the Linux desktop environment itself, as well as the popular OpenOffice.org office suite. A long-time systems and network administrator, Marcel is a published science fiction author and editor, a pilot, an avid science and astronomy buff, and a former top 40 disc jockey. He also folds a mean Origami T-Rex.

 

Patrick Green, President, Silver Strand Solutions

Before starting Silver Strand Solutions, Patrick was vice president of sales and marketing for Chicago Area based Alescere LLC. Alescere was on the forefront of Linux based SIP PBX systems which caught the attention of Linux Journal Magazine at the 2002 Linux World Convention in NYC. Silver Strand Solutions is dedicated to creating migration paths to open source for the SOHO environment. Recently, Silver Strand has started working with Linspire to assist the State of Indiana in making its one-for-one program a stunning reality. Patrick speaks frequently to Chicago area Colleges, Universities, and computer clubs about the history, future, and current position of Linspire, Linux, and Open Source Software.

 

Timothy Griffin, CEO, Userful

Tim Griffin is founder and President of Userful, a Desktop Linux company founded in 1999 whose software turns one computer into ten. Tim holds a Masters Degree in Industrial Design from the University of Calgary. Tim is a serial entrepreneur, leading various consulting, research, and design companies prior to founding Userful. Prior to founding Userful, Tim conducted pioneering research into laptop and input device design. He also performed and taught as a professional cellist and co-authored a book on the subject.

 

Ted Haegar, Novell

Ted Haeger has been advocating cutting edge enterprise technology for over a decade by using unconventional approaches to understanding and solving ongoing and emerging business problems. Ted has developed a reputation for being one of those rare technology marketers who actually implements and uses the technology he advocates. Ted's characteristically enthusiastic speaking style has earned him a humorous nick name: "Reverend Ted." Today, he is responsible for connecting the worldwide community of avid Novell fans with Novell's business and technology direction. He blogs about his adventures in community marketing, open source, and Linux at reverendted.blogspot.com.

 

Brian King, Mozdev Group

Brian King has been involved in the Mozilla community since 1999. In that time, he has worked on both free and for-profit software built on top of the Mozilla Application Platform. He is one of the core site admins at mozdev.org, a community site for hosting Mozilla-based projects and for promoting Mozilla technologies. Brian is an independent consultant, focusing mainly on Mozilla application development, and does much of his work for Mozdev Group, Inc, a Mozilla services company.

 

Greg Mancusi-Ungaro, Director of Linux and Open Source Marketing, Novell

Formerly director of marketing for Ximian, Greg Mancusi-Ungaro currently directs marketing activities for Linux and open source initiatives at Novell. Greg is also reponsible for marketing openSUSE, SUSE Linux and Novell Linux Desktop. A veteran of the technology industry, Mancusi-Ungaro directed world wide marketing activities for Webhire, and held many positions at Lotus Development Corporation, most notably serving as program and product manager for the Lotus business division.

 

Geoffrey Moore, Author and Consultant

Geoffrey Moore is a best-selling author, a Managing Director at TCG Advisors and a venture partner at MDV. Recognized as a leading business consultant to large companies facing formidable strategic challenges, Geoffrey works with established enterprises in his role of Managing Director of TCG Advisors. In this role, he divides his time between consulting on strategy and transformation challenges with senior executives and developing mental models to support the practice. With this focus in mind he has written Dealing with Darwin: How Great Companies Innovate at Every Phase of Their Evolution. Also recognized for his expertise in market development and business and investment strategies, as a Venture Partner at Mohr Davidow Ventures he serves as an advisor to many of their portfolio companies by drawing upon best practices derived from his extensive background working with technology startups.

Geoffrey has made the understanding and effective exploitation of disruptive technologies the core of his life's work. His books, Crossing the Chasm, Inside the Tornado, The Gorilla Game, and Living on the Fault Line are best sellers and required reading at leading business schools. Highly regarded as a dynamic public speaker, Geoffrey is the founder of The Chasm Group and currently is the managing partner of TCG Advisors. Earlier in his career, he was a principal and partner at Regis McKenna, Inc., a leading high tech marketing strategy and communications company, and for the decade prior, a sales and marketing executive in the software industry.

He holds a bachelor's degree in literature from Stanford University and a doctorate in literature from the University of Washington.

 

Ian Murdock, Founder, Debian

Ian has more than 10 years of experience in the software industry. He played an instrumental role in the transition of Linux from hobby project to mainstream technology by creating Debian, one of the first Linux-based operating systems, called distributions. Ian led Debian from its inception in 1993 to 1996, building it from an idea to a worldwide organization of more than 100 people in less than three years.

Today, Debian is one of the most popular Linux platforms in the world, with millions of users worldwide. Debian is also widely considered one of the most successful and influential open source projects ever launched: More than 1,000 volunteers in all parts of the world are currently involved in Debian development, and the founding document of the open source movement itself was originally a Debian position statement.

 

Michael Robertson, Chairman, Linspire

In his 18-year career, high-tech entrepreneur Michael Robertson has spearheaded a cache of diverse, high-profile companies ranging from digital music to operating systems to VoIP to entertainment. Not one to shy from controversy, his quest to offer competing products and innovative technologies has brought him face to face with corporate giants and corporate lawsuits. But his madness always has a method producing relevant technology and products that bring choice and freedom back to the consumer. Be it MP3, Linux, software, or hardware, Michael has built his career on supporting open standards that empower consumers. With companies like Linspire, SIPphone, and MP3tunes, Michael has entered industries that traditionally had only one or two dominant players. But with each industry he tackles, Michael's end goal is trying to bring competition and freedom of choice back to the marketplace. And restoring that freedom is the undercurrent of every venture he helms.

 

Doc Searls, Author and Senior Editor, Linux Journal

Doc Searls is co-author of the business best-seller The Cluetrain Manifesto: The End of Business as Usual. In the book, the authors suggest that the Internet has done two things that fundamentally change our way of doing business. First, it radically shifts the balance of power between supply and demand, giving the demand side (customers) far more power. Second, it turns markets into conversations, where supply and demand is only a handshake apart, emulating pre-industrial marketplaces. Companies that remain disengaged from their markets, and continue to assault them with unwanted "messages," are in trouble. Doc Searls, an early observer of these trends, is senior editor for Linux Journal, and a leading figure in the Linux and Open Source software movements.

 

David Uhlman, CEO, Uversa

David Uhlman is CEO of Uversa Inc. a Phoenix based software company committed to furthering and improving Open Source software for business. David has a long background with Open Source Software and the business of Open Source. He has been a contributor to many popular Open Source projects including and others. He has been an executive at several successful Open Source companies from server appliances to business processes.

 

Amy Wohl, Editor, Amy D. Wohl's Opinions

Amy D. Wohl has been commenting on, consulting to, and writing about the computer industry for more than 25 years. She is the editor of Amy D. Wohl's Opinions, a weekly e-newsletter which focuses on emerging technologies and three blogs — her own plus two for IBM. Her consulting practice focuses on emerging technologies and concepts and the markets they create. She helps vendors explore these opportunities, often defining the terms of new markets in the process, and assisting in planning marketing and positioning efforts. She teaches a graduate course on commercializing new technology at the University of Pennsylvania. Current interests include Linux, enterprise software, and new technologies for office work such as social software and open source.

+++


FAQ

           

What does the registration price include?

Full Admission buys you admission to all booth exhibits, speeches, and panel discussions, plus refreshments and free T-shirt! Exhibit Only admission gets you into the exhibit hall only.

 

What's the difference between Full admission and Exhibit Only admission?

The Full Admission ticket buys your admission to exhibits plus speakers, keynotes, panels and all other DLS main events for 2 days, and a free T-shirt. The Exhibit Only ticket ONLY buys admission to the exhibit hall - not the speeches or panels, and you don't get the T-shirt.

 

When will the event be held?

Monday and Tuesday, April 24-25, 2006 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in downtown San Diego, CA.

 

How do I make travel arrangements?

The Desktop Linux Summit will be held at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in downtown San Diego, CA. We are in the process of negotiating special rates on hotels in the area that are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please visit the Travel Section of the Desktop Linux Summit site often for updates on travel planning information and a list of hotels with special rates.

 

Do I have to rent a car to get to the Summit?

Frankly, public transportation in San Diego is not quite as thorough as in other major cities. However, since the Summit will be held so close to San Diego International Airport, getting to the area is a quick cab ride away. Additionally, your hotel may have shuttles that pick you up from the airport. Keep visiting the Travel Section of www.desktoplinuxsummit.com for travel information and links to public transportation in the area.

 

What if I only want to attend for one day? Can I just pay for admission for that day?

Your registration fee includes admission to Desktop Linux Summit for both days. We cannot charge you for only one day.

 

Who else will be at this year's Summit?

Last year's event drew companies like Novell, AMD, Real, Mozilla, etc. and we expect this year's event to be even bigger. Sponsors are coming on board now... check back often to see who's the latest to sign up!

 

What topics will be covered at this year's Summit?

We're still finalizing the agenda, but there will be panels devoted to enterprise, international, and commercial software migration.

 

Will there be wireless Internet at the Summit?

Yes, wireless Internet will be provided at the Summit.

 

Okay, it says there will be refreshments provided, but last year I got a boxed lunch and breakfast when I attended. Will that happen again this year?

This year, the Summit is in such a popular, fun location with so many dining options that we are leaving it up to attendees to find their own meals during the event. You'll be right next door to Seaport Village and the Gaslamp Quarter, with numerous restaurants ranging from fast food to sit-down restaurants. San Diego is your dining oyster! Enjoy!

 

Do I need my receipt to get into the Summit?

You will need your payment receipt and a valid photo ID to gain admission to the Summit. Your name must appear on the receipt as the attendee. If you signed up for a discounted rate (student, etc) you will need proof of your status to gain admission.

 

DesktopLinuxSummit.com